2 The Hunt (Read: Cutting Logs)

[Congratulations, Chief! Town Hall upgraded to Level 3!]

New Features Unlocked:

Buildings: Mortar (Blueprint), Laboratory (Blueprint), Archer Tower (Level 3 Blueprint), Cannon (Level 3 Blueprint), Gold Mine (Level 3 Blueprint), Elixir Collector (Level 3 Blueprint), Army Camp (Level 3 Blueprint)

Army Templates Unlocked: Giant, Goblin, Wall Breaker

Bonuses: Access to Clan/Guild System and Clan Castle

Boost Activated (3 Days): Double resources, faster troop production, and quicker builder times

[Achievement Unlocked: The Bigger, the Better!]

Rewards: 5 Gems, 3 Gacha Tickets

"Noice!" Leo exclaimed, punching the air triumphantly. The rewards were exactly what he needed, especially the Gacha tickets. With the three new ones, his total shot up to ten, giving him a solid chance to score something game-changing.

The boost was another pleasant surprise it hadn't been available at Level 2. This meant faster progress, which was critical with the Goblin Lord's raid looming over the horizon. Without wasting time, Leo directed the builders to upgrade key buildings.

Unlike the game mechanics he vaguely remembered, there was no arbitrary limit to the number of structures he could build simultaneously. However, practicality came into play, resources were still limited, and upgrading too many structures at once could stretch his capacity too thin.

"With the Town Hall upgraded, I can finally level up the Gold Mines and Elixir Collectors," he muttered. "More resources mean more upgrades and more upgrades mean…" He smirked, "...one hell of a village!"

Still, a new problem loomed. With every expansion, the need for more land became glaringly obvious. The surrounding forest limited the village's growth. Clearing it was the logical solution, but manpower was an issue.

"The Barbarians could do it," Leo thought aloud, tapping his chin. "But I need them ready for combat, not logging duty. And the villagers? They're strong, but I'd rather not pull them away from critical tasks."

That left him with two options: handle it himself or hope the Gacha system could provide a solution. The first option was tempting. As [Chief], Leo had raw power and could chop through the forest with ease, but doing so wouldn't yield the bonus loot or gems that came from delegated labor.

"Guess I'll leave the heavy lifting to the system," he sighed. "Come on, beginner's luck. Don't fail me now."

He opened the Gacha screen, his fingers practically tingling with excitement. The wheel spun, the familiar icons of various rewards blurring together in a dazzling display. The suspense was palpable. Finally, the results appeared in front of him:

3 Rare Chests (Gold)

4 Common Chests (Silver)

1 Legendary Chest (Gold-Blue)

1 Magical Chest (Purple)

1 Resource Crate

The lineup was impressive, especially the Legendary and Magical Chests. "All right," Leo grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Time to strike gold, literally."

One by one, he opened the chests, starting with the most exciting.

[Legendary Chest Rewards]:

2× Lumberjack Troops

100g Adamantite

1× Wild Legendary Card

Leo's jaw dropped at the last reward. Wild Legendary Cards were insanely rare, allowing him to unlock any Legendary-tier item he needed the most. *This alone makes the spins worth it," he muttered, a grin spreading across his face.

[Rare Chests Rewards]:

3× Knights

3× Giants

Enchanted Helmet, Armor, and Boots (Rare)

The armor glowed faintly with magical energy, their stats promising both durability and style. Leo found that it was made from Magisteel. The wait was light but he had no use for it.

[Magical Chest Rewards]:

500 Dark Elixir

Tornado Spell

20 Gems

[Descent of Arrows Spell]

The spells were particularly valuable. The Tornado could disrupt enemy formations, and Descent of Arrows would be devastating against hordes of Goblins.

[Resource Crate Rewards]:

10,000 Gold

100kg Steel

10,000 Elixir

Leo stared at the stack of resources with pure glee. "This will keep the builders busy for days!"

He glanced at the remaining Common Chests but decided to save them for later. They rarely held anything noteworthy and could wait until he had downtime. For now, he had more pressing matters to address.

With his newfound resources and gear, Leo's confidence surged. "This changes everything," he said, pacing in excitement. "With the Lumberjacks, I have the muscle to clear the forest. The spells will give us an edge against the Goblins. And the Wild Legendary Card…" He paused, thinking carefully. "I'll save that for an emergency."

He opened his village interface and began assigning tasks, his mind racing with plans. "Priority: clear the forest and expand the village. Second: build the Mortar and Laboratory. And third…" He smirked, glancing at the Descent of Arrows Spell. "...get ready to greet the Goblin Lord with a surprise he'll never forget."

For the first time since he'd arrived in this chaotic world, Leo felt like he was finally ahead of the curve.

His tough luck finally left him.

Leo stepped into the newly upgraded Town Hall, its spacious interior gleaming with polished wood and fresh stonework. The moment he activated the Lumberjack cards, shimmering holograms projected detailed information about the troops.

As Leo read through the data, he quickly understood why these rugged warriors were considered Legendary tier.

[Lumberjack Profile]:

Description: A distant cousin of the Barbarian clan, Lumberjacks are hardened warriors who thrive in harsh environments. Their love for hunting and living off the land has honed them into formidable fighters.

Appearance: The Lumberjacks sport a rugged, minimalist look—bare-chested with weathered kilts, ushankas atop their heads, and sturdy sandals. Their weapon of choice is a magisteel axe, capable of cleaving through both timber and enemies alike.

Skills:

Innate Skill: Berserker: When a Lumberjack's health drops below a critical threshold or they reach near exhaustion, their Berserker mode activates. This ability boosts their strength significantly and inspires nearby allies, increasing their strength by 5%.

Extra Skill: Lumberjack: Grants unparalleled efficiency in woodcutting, producing timber of naturally superior quality. This skill also gives them an advantage in combat against plant-based or wood-manipulating enemies.

Strength Rating: B-

Among the village's forces, the Lumberjacks rank second only to Leo himself in raw power. However, they can be outmaneuvered with smart strategies.

Leo couldn't help but let out a relieved sigh as he processed their abilities. For once, he had troops who weren't just combat-focused but could also contribute to the village's development.

"Finally, a unit that's versatile!" he muttered, brushing away an imaginary tear of joy. Memories of his Barbarians smashing things indiscriminately and Archers being overly reliant on their range played through his mind. "This is progress."

Next, he turned his attention to the Giant cards. His excitement bubbled as he recalled the sheer power of Giants in the Tensura universe. They weren't just physically imposing; in this world, thanks to their ancestor species True Giants.

"These better are worth the hype," Leo murmured as he activated the card. The data projected before him was as awe-inspiring as he'd hoped.

The Giants were exactly what he needed—massive, durable, and capable of moving enormous loads of timber cut by the Lumberjacks. He shuddered in anticipation of summoning them, but his thoughts briefly wandered to the Dragon Cliffs nearby.

There was a being there, possibly akin to the True Dragons of Tensura, slumbering atop the jagged peaks. Its power was a mystery, but the sheer aura it emitted was enough to keep the village on edge. For a moment, Leo felt a chill creep down his spine, an inexplicable sense of foreboding. However, it quickly dissipated, leaving him slightly shaken.

"Probably just overthinking things," he muttered, casting a glance at the shimmering barrier his father had gifted him. It held strong, radiating divine energy. If anything could keep out a True Dragon-level threat, it was this.

Pushing the thought aside, Leo summoned the Lumberjacks.

In a flash of light, a squad of gruff warriors materialized before him. They stood tall, their broad shoulders and scarred arms a testament to their rugged lives. Their faces were stoic, their eyes sharp and calculating.

Leo felt a bit thrown off by the Lumberjacks' thick Russian accents, but he greeted them warmly nonetheless. "So, how are you feeling?"

"Chief," one of them said in a deep, accented voice, bowing slightly. "We are ready to serve."

Leo couldn't help but grin. "Perfect timing. We've got a forest to clear and a village to expand."

The Lumberjacks nodded in unison, hefting their magisteel axes with practiced ease. They were calm, disciplined, and respectful, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of the Barbarians, their cousins.

"Let's go to hunt those damn pieces of shi-trees." One of them shouted with excitement.

"This is going to be much easier than I thought," Leo said with satisfaction.

Suddenly he felt something wrong.

"Hey, what do you mean by hunt?"

The Lumberjacks responded by swinging their magisteel axes in a cutting motion, their voices booming in unison with a roar-like intensity. "Ready to hunt those damn wooden pieces of sh-uh, trees, Chief! I still remember when those bastards blocked my way, and I lost my way home!"

Leo blinked, momentarily stunned. He couldn't fathom how a tree could possibly stop these two, but he decided it was better not to question it. Clearing his throat, he replied, "That's good to hear because I'm about to send you on a… hunting trip." He paused, adding with a smirk, "And by 'hunting,' I mean clearing trees. I'll also be summoning a Giant to help you carry the logs."

The duo's eyes lit up with excitement, and they looked ready to charge out of the Town Hall and start chopping everything in sight. However, their enthusiasm quickly dimmed when Leo raised a hand, signaling them to stop.

"But," he added firmly, "don't get carried away and clear the whole forest, okay? We need to plan this properly."

The Lumberjacks' faces fell, their excitement replaced with disappointment as they realized their dreams of an epic forest-clearing spree had been dashed. Leo couldn't help but sigh in relief, he'd narrowly avoided a disaster. The last thing the village needed was a barren wasteland where a forest used to stand.

After giving them specific instructions about which areas to target and where to leave untouched, Leo watched as the Lumberjacks marched off, grumbling softly but still eager to get to work.

But his thoughts drifted back to the Giants. With the Lumberjacks cutting down the trees he needed one.

"Time to summon the heavy hitters," he muttered, rubbing his hands together.

As he prepared to activate the Giant cards, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. With these new additions to his forces, the village was finally starting to feel like a proper stronghold. And with the Goblin Lord's raid looming closer, every upgrade counted.

Once they were out of sight, Leo stepped outside to summon a Giant. As he prepared the ritual, he couldn't help but silently pray he'd have enough resources to feed the massive creature. At a towering 3 meters tall, the Giant was an imposing figure—its strength unparalleled among the village's inhabitants.

[Giant Profile]:

Strength: B+

Attributes: Exceptional physical and magical resistance, immense raw power, and high durability.

Weakness: Slow movement and reaction speed.

Behavior: Intelligent, calm, and deliberate in its actions.

The Giant's raw power far exceeded Leo's own in terms of brute force, though Leo had the edge in agility and strategy. Still, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as he imagined the creature shrugging off magical blasts and physical blows like they were nothing.

With a flash of light, the Giant appeared before him, its massive frame casting a long shadow over the village square. The creature had a stoic expression, its dark eyes scanning the surroundings before settling on Leo.

"Chief," the Giant rumbled, bowing its head slightly. Its voice was deep and gravelly, a perfect match for its hulking appearance.

Leo nodded in greeting. "Welcome. I've got a job for you working with the Lumberjacks to carry the logs they cut."

The Giant straightened up and gave a small grunt of approval. "Understood. I will serve."

Despite its calm demeanor, the Giant exuded an aura of unshakable strength. Leo felt reassured knowing such a formidable ally was now part of his workforce.

Before sending the Giant off, Leo couldn't resist teasing, "Just don't let the Lumberjacks get too competitive with you. They seem to have… strong feelings about trees."

The Giant tilted its head slightly as if contemplating the oddity of such a rivalry but said nothing.

With his new workforce set and ready, Leo felt a surge of confidence. Between the Lumberjacks' efficiency and the Giant's brute strength, clearing the forest for expansion would be a breeze. For the first time in days, the ever-looming threat of the Goblin Lord's raid seemed a little less daunting.

"All right," Leo said to himself, watching as the Giant lumbered off to join the Lumberjacks. "Let's see how quickly we can turn this village into a fortress."

The Lumberjacks immediately set to work, their axes gleaming in the sunlight as they began cutting through the dense forest. Each swing of their weapons was precise, the sound of timber falling echoing through the air. Even from a distance, Leo could see the superior quality of the wood they harvested—it seemed to shimmer faintly, imbued with some kind of natural energy.

He chuckled to himself, imagining the kinds of reinforcements and buildings he could create with this material. "I really hit the jackpot with these guys," he said, watching as they worked with relentless efficiency.

(Leo)

After delegating tasks to the Lumberjacks and ensuring they wouldn't clear the entire forest in their enthusiasm, I decided to take a walk around the village to observe the effects of the Town Hall's recent upgrade.

The village had always centered around the Town Hall, its sturdy construction designed as both an administrative hub and a shelter during times of crisis. With the barrier active, the villagers were safer than ever. Still, the thought lingered in my mind: What if I could replicate this barrier?

The divine barrier my father gifted was leagues beyond my current abilities, but its efficiency was unmatched. I knew of spells like Void, which created barriers to prevent those inside from leaving, but a barrier preventing intrusion was another level entirely. Theoretically, there were methods to create such barriers, but they remained far out of my reach for now.

My musings were interrupted by the sound of villagers chatting near the square.

"Hey, did you see Chief summoned a Giant to work for him?" a redheaded girl said in awe to the small group gathered around her.

They all nodded eagerly, and another chimed in, "I always heard Giants loved destruction, but this is my first time seeing one doing honest labor. Leo-sama could make anything possible!"

"Our Chief is amazing" a villager with the [Sweeper] class said excitedly. "Ever since the Town Hall was upgraded, I feel like I could clean all the streets in record time."

"Now that you mention it, we've been baking more bread, and faster than usual!" added a villager with the [Baker] class. Her colleagues nodded, their expressions filled with amazement.

"It must be a blessing from Chief Leo for all our hard work!" a pink-haired girl suggested. She was a rare villager with the [Doctor] class, one of the more specialized and valuable professions in the village. Her skills were different from those of a traditional healer, but she was still indispensable.

I noted the faint fanatic glint in her eyes as she spoke about me, and a small shiver ran down my spine. I had long suspected her admiration bordered on obsession. I just hope they don't start a weird cult in my name.

As I walked past them, the thought lingered. I am a god, a weak one, but a god nonetheless. Would faith empower me further? The idea was intriguing. A secret cult*Ahem organized faith-based group, didn't sound so bad. Something to research later.

Continuing my walk, I made my way to the village farm. The farmland stretched wide, filled with bustling villagers tending to crops with incredible speed and precision. The [Farmers] class stood out among the other non-combat villagers. Their strength, almost equal to or surpassing that of the Archers, made them uniquely capable. With their kama and sai tools, these farmers could wield lethal force if necessary.

A week ago, such a thought would have disturbed me. I'd been a "normal" guy back then, someone who couldn't imagine harming another person. Now, the idea of utilizing farmers and their tools as a secondary defense force didn't feel strange. If anything, it was logical. Was this adaptability a byproduct of my godhood? Or the powers I'd gained?

I just hope this power doesn't go to my head, I thought, shaking my head as the farmers noticed my presence.

They stopped their work and bowed respectfully. I waved my hand to put them at ease.

"Thanks for your hard work, girls," I said, guilt tugging at me. "I'm sorry for making you handle all the heavy lifting. I would've asked the Barbarians, but…" I trailed off, knowing they understood.

One of the farmers, a muscular but feminine brunette with tanned skin—like all the others in the field—smiled knowingly. "Chief, you don't have to worry about us. We became farmers because we wanted to, and honestly, we'd rather not have those nutheads helping out. They're only good with swords and breaking things."

Her words sparked a round of laughter from the other farmers. Their easy camaraderie reassured me, but the guilt lingered. These villagers worked tirelessly to ensure the village had an abundance of food, and they deserved better than relying solely on their strength.

Still, their smiles and determination eased my worries. After a moment of "admiring" the hardworking group I always had thing for muscle mommies. I moved on, leaving the farmers to their tasks.

The Army Camp served as both a home and training ground for the troops, offering them a space to hone their skills, bond, and prepare for the battles to come. After emerging from the Barracks, the soldiers gathered here to expand their versatility beyond their core strengths.

The sight was as chaotic as it was impressive. The Archers stood on one side of the field, calmly practicing their marksmanship with precision, while the Barbarians turned the other side of the camp into a whirlwind of activity. A fierce spar was underway—though "brawl" would be a more accurate term—with several Barbarians rolling on the ground, grappling each other. Others engaged in arm wrestling so intense that the wooden table beneath them groaned and cracked under the strain. Further away, some Barbarians hefted massive weights, objects so heavy they could crush an average human with ease, all while laughing and egging each other on.

The contrast between the two groups couldn't have been starker.

Near the Archers' training area, one of them—a tall, purple-haired woman with a sharp gaze, whispered disdainfully to her partner, a fellow pink-haired Archer. "They'll bring shame to the Chief if they keep acting like animals," she said, her voice dripping with scorn.

Her companion nodded, lowering her bow for a moment to glance at the Barbarians. "What do you expect from them? They're called Barbarians for a reason."

As if on cue, Leo, who had been approaching the Archers unnoticed, cut in with a calm but firm tone. "You're not wrong. They are Barbarians, and chaos is in their nature. But," he added, locking eyes with the blonde, "they're a force to be reckoned with, whether you agree or not."

The Archers flinched at his sudden appearance, their usually stoic expressions faltering into flustered embarrassment. They exchanged nervous glances before begrudgingly nodding, not just out of respect for their Chief but also because they knew his words were true.

Leo's words weren't mere praise, either. The Barbarians had proven their might time and again, and their enchanted belts made them even more formidable. The belts, imbued with the [Protection III] enchantment, granted them high resistance to physical damage and ensured they couldn't be one-shotted in combat. It turned their natural resilience into an unshakable wall of brute strength.

Satisfied with the Archers' response, Leo turned his attention to more pressing matters. "Speaking of forces," he began, "what's the status of the hunting team I sent out?"

One of the Archers stepped forward to answer. "They've been scouting the surrounding areas and successfully brought back meat from several wild beasts. They've also taken down a few low-level monsters that ventured too close to the village."

Leo nodded, pleased. The hunting team played a crucial role in the village's survival. Not only did they provide additional food—mainly for the troops, who required more sustenance—but they also helped reduce the threat of nearby wild beasts.

The barrier wouldn't last forever, and eliminating potential dangers was as vital as fortifying their defenses.

The meat they brought back was some of the finest Leo had ever tasted, thanks to the efforts of the [Cook]. She was a rare gem among his villagers—an older woman with a graceful air and undeniable charm. To Leo, she wasn't just a skilled cook; she was someone he couldn't help but admire on a personal level. Her presence radiated warmth, and her culinary creations turned even the toughest monster meat into dishes so tender and flavorful they seemed almost magical.

"They'll be back anytime now, Chief. They went to hunt an Angry Boar spotted nearby," an Archer replied, her voice calm but edged with anticipation.

Leo nodded thoughtfully. Angry Boars were classified as B-rank threats—tough but manageable for the hunting team. Confident in their capabilities, he exited the Army Camp, deftly avoiding the Barbarians who were still causing their usual commotion.

Leo felt a small smile tug at his lips as he thought of her. Not just the village's best cook...but also a certified Milf.

Turning his gaze back to the camp, Leo felt a sense of pride. Despite the occasional tension between the troops, they were shaping up into a formidable force. With the Archers' precision, the Barbarians' sheer might, and now the Lumberjacks and Giant added to the mix, his army was slowly but surely becoming a force to be reckoned with.

The Bandits and Goblin Lord's raid loomed on the horizon, but for the first time in days, Leo felt confident. With careful planning and continued training, this village would hold its ground and become a formidable force.

He made his way toward the Barracks, where the Builders were hard at work, setting up new templates for Giants, Goblins, and Wall Breakers. Watching them hammer away with precision, Leo called out, "Yo! So, how long until this Army Training Miracle is back in action?"

Unlike the game world he'd grown up playing, these Barracks didn't magically produce troops. Instead, they were the cornerstone of his village's military strength—transforming ordinary individuals into well-trained fighters.

The Barracks worked like a watered-down version of a Hyperbolic Time Chamber. He could send in an ordinary villager, someone with no combat class or training, and after a set amount of time, they would emerge as a fully trained troop. For instance, a villager with Barbarian lineage who entered as an F-rank weakling would come out as a D-rank Barbarian—battle-ready and significantly stronger.

This building was invaluable, explaining why it was one of the most heavily protected structures in the village, alongside the Town Hall and the villagers themselves. Yet, the Barracks had its limitations.

1. Lineage Dependency: The person undergoing training needed to share the bloodline of the troop they were training to become. For example, only someone with Barbarian ancestry could emerge as a Barbarian.

2. Baseline Strength: The Barracks only elevated recruits to the average strength of their lineage. A trained Barbarian, for instance, was capped at D-rank strength—the minimum level for their class. From there, troops needed additional training outside the Barracks to grow stronger.

3. Time and Resource Constraints: The time required for training varied depending on the troop type. A single Barbarian took ten days to complete training, four Archers took twenty days, and a Giant required a full month. Additionally, the Barracks consumed a considerable amount of Elixir to function—a resource that was both precious and limited.

Despite these drawbacks, Leo knew the Barracks were an incredible asset. In other kingdoms, cultivating a single D-rank warrior took years, sometimes decades. Here, he could produce an entire squad in mere weeks. It was no wonder the Barracks were one of his most prized buildings.

Still, their potential made him dream bigger. "Once I gather enough resources to sustain them, I'll build more Barracks. Then, I'll have an army strong enough to rival the best."

Leo turned his attention back to the Builders, inspecting their progress. With templates for Giants and other troop types being prepared, he couldn't help but feel a swell of excitement for the village's growing strength.

As the thought of managing his ever-expanding army crossed his mind, he sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I should probably start giving the villagers and weaker troops proper names soon. It's going to be a nightmare otherwise."

The mere idea of organizing nameless recruits gave him a headache, but he knew it was inevitable. Names would not only make management easier but also foster a sense of identity and pride among his people... perhaps even unexpected but pleasant surprises.

Shaking his head, Leo smiled to himself. The weight of leadership was heavy, but seeing the progress around him made it all worth it. With the Barracks nearing completion and the village steadily advancing, he felt confident in the path they were carving out together.

~~~~~~

4k words I hope it is good